Danse Macabre Novels & Stories

Low chandeliers cast flickering light over the crowd, and the music pulsed in a haunting rhythm, a heartbeat for the night’s sinister undercurrent. From the shadows, I scanned the room, my gaze sharp and calculating. It didn’t take long to spot her—Helena, standing near the edge of the dance floor, her red dress a beacon amidst the sea of blacks and silvers. We’d chosen that dress for a reason. She was the bait, and Dante wouldn’t be able to resist.

Sol murmured, his voice so low it was meant only for me. "I'm fine," I whispered back, tightening my grip on my invisible resolve. "But I think you might need a literal shield to get to the refreshment table." "I don't need a shield," Sol said, his gaze finally shifting to me, his eyes dark and intense. "I have an Alpha." The haunting, melodic strains of a medieval hammered dulcimer filled the hall, signaling the start of the ceremonial first dance. It was a traditional pavane—slow, stately, and designed to show off the grace and power of the ruling class.

I made my way towards the hall for the traditional dance. I could feel the vibrations from the drums pounding. The words of the songs floating above the drum beats praising the moon goddess and begging her for a love match mate. “What house?” A bored dance coordinator asked at the stage door. “Alpha Osiris.” I said with a flat tone. The coordinator handed me two silver bell anklets The bells are worn to add to the drum rhythm as you dance. “Turn around so that I can pin this number to your back.”

Misha is standing in the middle of that oblivion, with her sweat drips from her forehead and the dark, full of mystery, yet holding the death and sin of the underworld starting to play into one musical piece. “DRIP, DRIP, DRIP. JUST HOW LOVELY WOULD THEIR DECAPITATED HEAD, TORN FLESH, AND EYES WIDE SHOUT OPEN WILL APPEAR IN THE BROAD DAYLIGHT?” From her fast-beating heart and the warnings that she needed to confirm. With quite shivering hands and cold turn sweat, she slowly removes her glasses as the horror greeted her. A CURSE TO DIE! DIE! AND BETTER YET STILL DIE!

I asked. “This means, Grace, that this is a hybrid composed of various demons. Some evil people had torn apart different demons and then used dark magic long after their deaths to fuse them together, creating this terrifying creature, a product of the foulest form of dark magic known as necromancy.” Daisy’s words changed the whole atmosphere of the room. A chill spread in the room. "I've never seen anything like it. This is some next level dark magic." Xander whispered, it felt like he almost whispered it to himself.

Pax grinned widely, brushing his hands in anticipation, and Ethan crossed his arms, intensively watching us. “I see the backstage timeout do you good.” Pax teased. “Shuddup. Let’s roll,” Clay snapped, but there was no sense of aggression in his tone. Red and yellow lights slowly illuminate two bodies in the center, holding each other close. As Trey cues the music volume will turn up (when it’s ready), Dracula and Lucy take a few steps back and dance to depict how Dracula is waiting to take her away to be one of his brides.

Odin said to himself and was about to drop the tab when his hand mistakenly pressed something and he found another video dance titled, “The Dracula dance video.” Above the video was a message-“Her Halloween party is in two days time, you better get cracking if you really want to be part of her life. I will send a video to you, practice the steppings and be serious with it. This is going to be your last chance. Do not mess things up! “Okay, this should be interesting.” Odin said, taking a seat and pressing the play button, if nothing attracted him, the “Dracula” on the title of the video got him and well, they shared something in common......

***Fast forward***** 3 months later. Natty's POV. I was practicing with Helene,we were at the dance school. I come here every week for dance practice. Mike enrolled me here after I told him I have always loved dancing but I never had a chance to dance. I'mm so glad he did this. Helen was the best before I came ,we both and now we are competing for the best,it was an healthy rivalry. She became my close friend. We did the dance eagerly and with happy faces, this was our way of expressing our every feeling.When we were done,Helen quickly wore her shoes,she was a student and she had class. We hugged and she left.

Winter I ends with everyone (except for Marie) laying on the ground. The stage fades to black. Okay, now I have to do my part of the dance. Winter II begins playing and a sense of morbid innocence is shown through my character. There is only a spotlight on me, meaning that I have not seen anything. I do my leaps, turns, and playful banter. I try looking around but no one is there. Winter II ends with the lights revealing the stage behind me. Winter III plays and I am in deep sorrow. I dance around the monsters, trees, bushes, and sprites. Every articulated step is an homage to those whose lives have been lost. This is where I find Marie on her knees.

Somehow. I barely noticed Flynn until he appeared, portmanteau in hand, grin wide and reckless. “Where have you been?” I hissed. “What is that?” He shrugged, boyish and unrepentant. “Something.” I glared. “You’re stealing?” “Of course. What else do I do best?” I nearly laughed, but the sight of the ballroom below swallowed the sound. Tremaine. The Prince. Dancing. The air electric with anticipation. “No,” I whispered, panic rising. “No, no, no…”